25 Years On, Still Going Strong

The Ian Wright Organisation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It was back in 1987 when Ian, a keen motor sports enthusiast and a competitor in Sporting Trials Car competitions, was asked by a friend who ran an events company if he would be willing to bring his Trials Car along to a corporate event to help entertain his clients. Of course Ian was more than happy to agree to this especially as he was going to be paid for the day. The Trials Car was received extremely well and over the next couple of years Ian was asked to come along on further corporate events occasionally hiring in an additional car with a fellow trials competitor to assist. Slowly but surely the Trials Cars became an amazingly popular activity.

It was at this point that Ian thought this would be a much preferable way to earn a living than his current role of working

for a wood company. He decided that with a little more kit he would be able to support more events and so decided to invest in a few Quad Bikes and an old Land Rover. The investment was soon rewarded with work coming in from other events companies as well as motor sport venues such as Silverstone, Thruxton and Brands Hatch race circuits. This then led to working on endless track days around the country for motor manufacturers such as Ford, Peugeot, Honda and BMW. As the work picked up Ian was joined by a friend and they started to build a more “user friendly” fleet of Sporting Trials Cars as well as some “Reverse Steer” Mini Metros. The workshop also started to take in service and maintenance work on equipment owned by other events companies.

It was in 1991 that The Pickwell Estate, a 400 acre venue in Sussex where Ian had been asked to supply equipment and instructors on numerous occasions, became a permanent base and “The Ian Wright Organisation (IWO)” was born. As well continuing to support various other companies with the supply of equipment and instructors IWO started to run team building and corporate events of its own. IWO was asked by Nissan to support them at a Game Fair and this led to a sponsorship deal with Nissan providing the company with a fleet of new 4 x 4 vehicles. This allowed the fledgling company to push on and it continued to grow rapidly. It was at this point that Ian felt the need to focus not just on running team building and corporate events but to also ensure that the equipment was well serviced and maintained and a full time mechanic was employed. This was at a time when a popular activity in the corporate entertainment world was the “Honda Pilot” or “Desert Star” buggies. However, these were high maintenance vehicles and were mainly single seaters meaning that if the client decided they wanted to take a different route to the one given they could pretty much do so with little the instructor could do about it. It was at this point that Ian decided that the Honda Pilot had had its day and an alternative was needed. Ian set about coming up with a solution with our new mechanic (who is still with us today) and between them they came up with the now famous “Apache Rally Car”, a lightweight space framed two seater buggy powered by a powerful Honda VFR 750 engine and a six speed gearbox. The Apache Rally car took the corporate world by storm to such an extent that Brands Hatch race circuit ordered nine to use for their own events and another nine were later supplied to the Bahrain race circuit.

In 2000 The Pickwell Estate was sold and IWO had to look for a new home from where we could run our own events which was when we came across Ashtree Farm, our present location. Whilst the venue is only half the size of Pickwell the actual grounds are much easier to manage and we like to claim to probably having the best off road driving centre in the South East of England. With huge open activity fields, woods, orchards and a four acre lake with its own African lodge, we can also boast to having one of the most scenic venues in Kent.

The business today is vastly different to the one which was established 25 years ago, albeit some of the faces are still the same. As well as providing a wide range of motorised activities we now provide a huge selection of country pursuits such as Clay Pigeon Shooting, Target Archery, Falconry, Geese Herding, Traditional Longbows and many more along with a selection of team building activities. We have also developed fantastic working relationships with numerous landmark properties such as Hever Castle and Penshurst Place as well as numerous Country House Hotels from where we can run our events. The business continues to grow and seems to have come through the recession leaner and fitter having just recorded our best year ever.

“Hi Ian,
I just wanted to thank you and the team for the events yesterday, The 3 guys we had running it were brilliant! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks,
Kate”

Kate Royle

EBRD - May 2015

“All the event staff on the day were extremely friendly, funny and knowledgeable; they helped make the day a very fun and enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend The Wright Event to others.”

Kirsty Liles - May 2015

Barclays

“A massive thank you to everyone who made our day out go so well.
Everybody had a brilliant time and have said that it was the best one yet they loved
all the events that we did………… so thanks guys and girls for the fantastic day
and look forward to seeing you again next year.”

Jane Coote - June 2015

Curran

“I've had nothing but good feedback from my colleagues and I can safely say that everyone had a fantastic day. Thank you so much.”

Laura Salt

Land Securities

“The team will remember this day for a long time. It was great fun and everyone really enjoyed themselves. We discovered new talents that we didn't know we had. Thank you to everyone that was there on the day, will we definitely recommend you to others.”

Leanne Sequeira

Nelson Policies

“We are always pleased to work with the staff at the Wright Event and the event was very well organised. Everyone really enjoyed the day and the motor activities were very popular.”

Sirje Rasanen - June 2015

BWPA

“A thoroughly enjoyable day; we will definitely be booking further events with you.”

Ian Aubrey

MAC Professional Solutions

“My colleagues were without exception impressed with the organisation and friendliness of your colleagues, and we all had a brilliant time in some warm sunshine. We have been having staff days-out for a number of years now, and this was by far the most enjoyable, fun and productive – we will be ta”

Stephen Birtwistle

Daniel Watney

“Thank you so much for hosting our Royal College of Music away day. It was a fabulous day! Everyone agrees that the team were great, the food was amazing and the activities were really good fun.”

Julia Palmer

Royal College of Music

“My team thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Ashtree Farm. Not even the rain managed to dampen spirits and actually made the Quad bikes that bit more fun. Thanks to everyone!
”

Cheryl Philpott

Brigade Electronics

“The day was a huge success for Daniel Watney. The fine weather helped of course, but we met our objectives and in the process enjoyed a well-organised day of activities and without exception everyone had fun. There were smiles and laughs all round, and unanimous agreement from all that it was by f”

Stephen Birtwistle

Daniel Watney

“Thank you for such a wonderful day. We all had a blast and everyone enjoyed the spread you put on after. I have had nothing but good feedback from the staff. Thank you again and we WILL be back!
”

Rebecca Parker

Aiimi Ltd

“The Wright Event were friendly, approachable and very professional. Every single member of the team had a very enjoyable day, with great feedback from each member. Well done, we will be back soon!
”

Birju Patel

Royal College of Music

“Thank you so much for organising our event. The feedback I have received has been fantastic. Please pass on our thanks to your team. There were lots of positive comments about each of the activities and the individuals that ran them. Thanks also for sorting out the weather – we will expect this e”

Jacqui Groom

KPMG

“An excellent day! Really fun and exciting activities, great venue, lovely grounds, helpful, fun and friendly staff. The best team event we have had so far. We would definitely like to come back.”

Danni Head

Merlin Electrical Services Ltd

“Thank you so much for having us, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves! I would recommend you to other departments within the company in a heartbeat!”

Kirstie Defries

Land Securities

“We had a fantastic day at Ashtree Farm and would happily recommend The Wright Event to friends and colleagues, thank you for a great day!
”

Yvonne Stark

Land Securities

“Fantastic! We thoroughly enjoyed our two days at Chilston Park with the Wright Event team. We would definitely recommend them for anyone looking to organise outdoor activities.”

Jordana Marston

Beazley

“All the event staff were excellent, they put everyone at ease and made each exercise valuable. The mix of activities worked brilliantly and we were delighted with your support once again. Thanks very much from the whole team.
”

Nicola Harkin

J Sainsburys

“We all had a really good time on Saturday. It was a great laugh with the Wright Event team, they made the day a lot more enjoyable. The food was amazing and the venue was brilliant. Thank you so much for organising a great day.
”

Carolyn Jones

Alemba

“The event fulfilled all our objectives. It made the whole team more relaxed around each other and work well together as a team. We would recommend the Wright Event to anyone seeking fun team activities or a good day out with friends. ”

Skye Gordon

Liberty Specialty Markets

“All enquiries were responded to promptly, the event staff were great fun and had a sense of humour, the food was delicious and we have had positive feedback from all involved. Thanks for a great day!”

Kim Bedford

Coombes Forestry Ltd

“A really good variety of activities, a homely hearty meal, a great fire, a lovely farm setting and helpful staff. All full marks! Thank you so much for a great event.”

Milli d'Hangest d'Yvoy

Testplant

“Excellent staff, very professional, but with a good sense of humour. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and would not hesitate to use The Wright Event again. ”

Sally Coleman

Flexenet Ltd

“Very accommodating staff, productive activities, good value for money and great atmosphere.”

Sophie Bailey

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

“Thank you so much for a great day on Friday. The team really enjoyed it and I have heard lots or positive feedback about the day. The activities were so much fun and the food was fantastic.
”

Laura Pyle

Hue Global Solutions

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“We wanted the team to work together and to have some fun, it delivered against both these objectives. The time flew by and the team were buzzing!”

Nicola Harkin

J Sainsburys - Sep 2014

“The Wright Event were very accommodating in terms of catering to our needs. Everybody had a great time and we were very happy with everything.”

Michelle McCarthy

Inmarsat - Sep 2014

“I just wanted to thank you and Ian and everyone involved for a fantastic couple of days. We all had the best time! Your staff were wonderful, everything went incredibly smoothly and we have some amazing memories. Thank you so much, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with you all throughout the”

Mary-Rose Taylor

The Student Room - Sep 2014

“Once again a great day was had by all. Thank you to all of your staff who always make us so welcome.”

Diane Ward

Decision Insight Information Group - Aug 2014

“Everything was very well organised and efficient. All the events were great fun and the staff were all friendly and encouraging, plus the food and drink was excellent as always.”

Hayley Quin

A J Bell Securities - Aug 2014

“We had a fantastic day that was enjoyed by all. The staff were helpful and friendly and the activities were excellent fun and well organised. We can't wait to come back and try out other activities.”

Victoria Jackson

KPMG - July 2014

“We had a brilliant day. We enjoyed it all, from the activities themselves, to the food, the location and the staff. Can't wait for next year!”

Adam Coomber

Coty Information Technology - July 2014

“Our team had a great day, everyone enjoyed it and the team at The Wright Event were brilliant. Many thanks.”

Jessica Geldart

Imperial College - June 2014

“All the staff were really lovely and helpful. We would definitely use your company again and have already recommended The Wright Event to other departments.”

Laura Salt

Land Securities - June 2014

“As usual the Wright Event staff were friendly and chatty with a fantastic sense of humour. The food was delicious and very well presented and we chose a wonderful selection of activities.”

Eloise Mayall

Infor - June 2014

“Thank you again for hosting my Google team at the end of June. My team still rave about the day and has said it was the best offsite we've ever had! ”

Google

“The event went without a hitch and everyone loved the venue, the activity and the food. You and your team made sure that yesterday was one of the best Team Building events we have ever held”